JPH10146404A - Golf club head and golf club - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a golf club head whose assembling and manufacture are very easy, whose freedom in shape is high, and to contribute to enhancing the shot distance and directionality of a hit golf ball. SOLUTION: This golf club head 1a consists of a metal-made main head body 2 and a metal-made lid 5. The main head body 2 is formed as an entirety of the main body part 3 with a front face to hit a golf ball and the shaft connection to connect the body to the shaft 15 of the golf club, preferably by metal powder injection molding. The connection 6 between the main body part 3 and the lid 5 has a difference in level available to be mated with each other as a means of increasing the contact area. This connection 6 is preferably joined via sintering.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a golf club head and a golf club provided with the head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A golf club head is designed so that a force can be more reliably transmitted to a golf ball when the golf ball is hit with the hitting surface. For example, for golfers on tee grounds and fairway woods such as buffy and creeks (these are collectively referred to as "wood"), the golf ball must travel as far as possible and the direction of flight must be accurate. Is required.

[0003] In order to satisfy such a demand, a hollow metal wood called a so-called metal wood is widely used. In particular, in recent years, woods made of Ti or Ti alloy, which have advantages of being lightweight and having high strength, have been developed.

FIG. 9 shows the structure of a conventional metal wood head. A conventional metal wood head 100 includes a main body 101, a shaft connecting portion (a hosel) 102, and a lid 103 manufactured by a casting method or a lost wax method.
It was composed of three members, and these were joined by welding and assembled.

However, such a conventional head 1
In the case of 00, since the number of component parts is large and a welding process is required, there are disadvantages that the assembling work is troublesome and the manufacturing cost is increased.

Further, since the main body portion 101 having the hitting surface of the golf ball and the head connecting portion (hosel) 102 for supporting the head are formed separately, there is a loss in transmitting the force between them. As a result, there is also a problem that the improvement of the flight distance of the golf ball is hindered.

In addition, due to problems in the manufacturing method of each component of the head, the shape and structure of the head, particularly the internal structure of the head, cannot be made complicated, and the design width is narrow. There is also. Due to this drawback, adjustment and setting of the hardness and strength of the hitting surface, the width of the sweet spot on the hitting surface, the position of the center of gravity of the head, and the like cannot be easily performed.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a golf ball which is easy to assemble and manufacture, has a large degree of freedom in shape, and contributes to improving the flight distance and directionality when hitting a golf ball. It is to provide a club head and a golf club provided with the head.

[0009]

This and other objects are achieved by the present invention which is defined below as (1) to (18).

(1) A golf club head having a hitting surface of a golf ball, wherein a plurality of metal members manufactured by a metal powder injection molding method are joined.

(2) The golf club head according to the above (1), wherein the joining portions of the metal members are joined by sintering.

(3) The golf club head according to (2), wherein the joint has means for increasing a joint area.

(4) The golf club head according to (3), wherein the means for increasing the bonding area is a step.

(5) A golf club head characterized in that a body having a hitting surface of a golf ball and a shaft connecting portion connected to a shaft are integrally formed by a metal powder injection molding method.

(6) A main body having a hitting surface of a golf ball, a shaft connecting part connected to a shaft, and a lid located above the main body, wherein at least the main body and the shaft are connected. The head of the golf club, wherein the part is integrally formed by a metal powder injection molding method.

(7) The golf club head according to (6), wherein a joint between the main body and the lid is joined by sintering.

(8) The golf club head according to (7), wherein the joint has means for increasing a joint area.

(9) The golf club head according to (8), wherein the means for increasing the bonding area is a step.

(10) The golf club head according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein at least one closed space is formed inside the head.

(11) The golf club head according to any one of (1) to (10), further including at least one rib extending from a back side of the hitting surface in a direction away from the hitting surface.

(12) The golf club according to any one of (1) to (10), further comprising a rib extending from the back side of the hitting surface in a direction away from the hitting surface and located on a center line of the hitting surface. Head.

(13) The golf club head according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein at least one weight is provided.

(14) The golf club head according to (11) or (12), wherein a weight is installed near an end of the rib.

(15) The golf club head according to the above (13) or (14), wherein the specific gravity of the weight is larger than the specific gravity of the metal constituting the head.

(16) The main part of the head is Ti or Ti
The golf club head according to any one of the above (1) to (15), which is made of an alloy containing:

(17) The golf club head according to any one of (1) to (16), wherein the head is a driver or a fairway wood head.

(18) A golf club comprising the shaft of the golf club head according to any one of (1) to (17) above.

[0028]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a golf club head and a golf club according to the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are a front view, a plan view and a left side view, respectively, showing an embodiment of a golf club head according to the present invention, and FIG. It is a line sectional view. The golf club head (hereinafter simply referred to as “head”) 1a of the present invention shown in these figures constitutes the above-mentioned wood, and the metal head body 2
And a metal lid 5.

The head main body 2 preferably includes a main body 3 having a hitting surface (face) 31 for hitting a golf ball in front of the head main body 2 and a shaft connecting portion (hosel) 4 for connecting to a shaft 15 of the golf club. It is formed integrally by a method described later.

As shown in FIG. 4, the inside of the main body 3 is hollow, and a closed space 7 is formed inside the head 1a in a state where a lid member 5 described later is joined.

The shaft connecting portion 4 includes the shaft 1
5 is formed. This hole 4
The shaft 15 is fitted into the shaft 1 and is adhered with an adhesive as necessary, so that the shaft 15 and the head 1a are fixed.

In the head 1a of the present invention, since the main body 3 and the shaft connecting portion 4 are integrally formed, the number of parts is small, the assembly and production are easy, the production cost is low, and There is no transmission loss of force between the shaft connection portion 4 and the main body portion 3, and therefore, the flight distance of the golf ball can be improved.

The lid 5 is joined to the upper part of the main body 3 so as to cover the hollow part of the main body 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the joint 6 between the main body 3 and the lid 5 has a step which can be fitted to each other as a means for increasing the joint area. As a result, the bonding strength between the main body 3 and the lid 5 is increased, and even when an impact when a golf ball is hit is applied, the lid 5 may fall off the main body 3 due to the separation of the bonding part 6 or the like. In addition to being reliably prevented, the power transmission efficiency to the golf ball is also improved, contributing to the improvement of the flight distance.

The means for increasing the bonding area of the bonding portion 6 is not limited to the step shown in the figure, but may be any other means such as an uneven shape, an inclined surface or a curved surface which can be in close contact with each other.

In the illustrated example, the means (step) for increasing the bonding area of the bonding portion 6 is formed over the entire periphery of the outer edge of the lid 5. May be formed.

When the joints 6 are joined by sintering as described later, the boundaries of the joints 6 may become unclear or disappear.

Next, the constituent materials of each part of the head 1a will be described.

The head body 2 and the lid 5 are respectively
For example, it can be made of various metal materials such as iron-based alloys such as carbon steel and stainless steel, and aluminum alloys such as duralumin. In particular, these are made of Ti or an alloy containing Ti (Ti alloy). Is preferred.

Ti or Ti alloy is light in weight, high in strength and high in hardness, rich in resilience when hitting a ball with the hitting surface 31, contributes to an improvement in the flight distance, and hardly causes deformation and breakage. There is an advantage that it is excellent in durability and corrosion resistance.

In the case of a Ti alloy, the content of Ti in the alloy is not particularly limited, but is preferably 50% by weight or more, and more preferably 65% by weight or more.

Elements other than Ti constituting the Ti alloy include, for example, Fe, Co, Ni, Cr, Pd, Zr, A
1, V, Mo, Cu, Ag, Au, W, Sn, Mn, S
i, Ta, Nb and the like, and one or more of these can be contained. These are added according to various purposes, for example, adjustment of physical properties such as strength (rigidity), hardness, elasticity (toughness), improvement of chemical properties such as improvement of corrosion resistance, improvement of manufacturing conditions, and the like. The amount is determined appropriately. For example, when manufacturing the head main body 2 by a metal powder injection molding method described later, Fe, Co, Ni, Al,
Addition of Pd, Mn, Cu, Ag and the like has an effect of lowering the sintering temperature.

In the Ti or Ti alloy, C, O,
N or the like may be positively or inevitably included.
These contents are preferably C: 0.01 to 0.8 wt.
%, O: 0.02 to 1.0% by weight, N: 0.01 to 0.9%
wt%.

The total content of C, O and N is
It is preferably about 0.06 to 2.5 wt%,
More preferably, it is about 1.5 wt%.

If the respective contents or the total contents of C, O, and N are too small, the strength is reduced depending on the basic composition of the metal material constituting the head main body 2, and if the contents are too large, the metal material is not used. The ductility tends to decrease.

The hardness of the striking surface 31 of the head main body 2 is not particularly limited, but the Vickers hardness Hv is preferably about 180 to 400, and more preferably about 250 to 380. With such hardness, the above-described effects are more effectively exhibited.

The porosity of the holes of the metal material forming the head body 2 is preferably 5.0 vol% or less, more preferably about 0.5 to 3.5 vol%. . If the porosity is too high, the mechanical properties of the metal material, particularly the strength and ductility (toughness), may decrease, and the corrosion resistance may also decrease.

The constituent material of the head body 2 and the cover member 5
May be the same or different, but it is preferable that these are made of the same material or the same kind of material (for example, in the case of an alloy, the base metal is the same). Thereby, the head body 2 and the lid member 5
And the bonding strength with the metal becomes higher.

The head main body 2 and the lid member 5 as described above are preferably manufactured by powder metallurgy, in particular, by metal powder injection molding (MIM). Hereinafter, the metal powder injection molding method will be described.

[1] A metal powder (for example, Ti or Ti alloy to be described later) and a binder (organic binder) constituting the head body 2 are prepared, and these are kneaded by a kneading machine to obtain a kneaded material (compound). Get.

The average particle size of the metal powder is not particularly limited, but is usually preferably about 5 to 75 μm, more preferably about 10 to 50 μm.
m is more preferable.

On the other hand, examples of the binder include polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, acrylic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate and polybutyl methacrylate, styrene resins such as polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride. One or two or more of various thermoplastic resins such as polyamide, polyester, polyether, or a copolymer thereof, various waxes, paraffin, and the like can be used.

The amount of the binder added in the kneaded material is as follows:
It is preferably about 3 to 20% by weight, more preferably about 4 to 13% by weight. If the amount of the binder is too small, the fluidity during molding becomes poor, and injection molding becomes impossible or difficult, or the composition of the molded product becomes non-uniform, and
If the amount is too large, the shrinkage ratio when firing a molded body obtained by injection molding increases, the dimensional accuracy decreases, and the porosity and C content tend to increase.

When kneading, various additives such as a plasticizer, a lubricant, an antioxidant, a degreasing accelerator, a surfactant and the like may be added as required in addition to the metal powder and the binder. Can be.

As an example of the kneading conditions, the kneading temperature can be from ordinary temperature to about 150 ° C., and the kneading time can be about 60 to 180 minutes.

[2] Using the kneaded material obtained in the step [1] or pellets granulated from the kneaded material,
Injection molding is performed by an injection molding machine to produce a molded body having the shape of the head body 2. In addition, the dimensions of the molded body, particularly the inner diameter of the hole 41 and the holes 33 to 35 for inserting the weight described later, are set in consideration of shrinkage due to subsequent firing.

At this time, as the molding conditions, for example, the material temperature is preferably 130 to 170 ° C., more preferably about 150 to 160 ° C., and the injection pressure is 300 to 600 kg.
The mold temperature is about f / cm ² , more preferably about 300 to 400 kgf / cm ² , and the mold temperature is preferably 5 to 50 ° C., and more preferably about 10 to 20 ° C.

[3] A molded body of the lid 5 is manufactured in the same manner as in the steps [1] and [2].

[4] Next, the molded body of the head main body 2 and the molded body of the lid 5 obtained in each of the above steps are assembled so that the steps of the joints 6 thereof are fitted to each other.

This assembly may be performed after performing the following step [5] (binder removal treatment) on each of the molded body of the head main body 2 and the molded body of the lid 5.

[5] The assembled molded body of the head main body 2 and the molded body of the lid 5 are subjected to a binder removal treatment. As the binder removal treatment, a non-oxidizing atmosphere, for example, a vacuum or reduced pressure state (for example, 1 × 10 ⁻¹ to 1
X 10 ^-6 Torr) by performing a heat treatment.

In this case, the heat treatment is preferably performed at a temperature of about 50 to 650 ° C. for about 8 to 72 hours, more preferably at a temperature of about 60 to 550 ° C. for about 12 to 18 hours.

This debinding treatment (degreasing treatment)
May be carried out by eluting a specific component in the binder using a predetermined solvent (liquid or gas).

This step [3] may be omitted.

[6] Next, the molded body of the head main body 2 and the molded body of the lid portion 5 fitted to each other are fired in a furnace.
A metal sintered body is manufactured. The firing can be performed once or twice or more.

The firing conditions are appropriately determined according to the metal composition and the like of the compact. In the case of Ti or a Ti alloy, the temperature is preferably about 400 to 1400 ° C. for about 10 to 26 hours, and more preferably 500 to 500 hours. 15 at about 1350 ° C
Approximately 18 hours. In this case, the firing atmosphere is a non-oxidizing atmosphere, that is, a vacuum or reduced pressure state (for example, 1 atmosphere).
X 10 ^-2 to 1 x 10 ^-6 Torr), an inert gas such as an argon gas or a nitrogen gas, or any other reducing atmosphere.

By this firing, the molded body of the head main body 2 and the molded body of the lid 5 become a metal sintered body, and at the same time, the joint 6 between the head main body 2 and the lid 5 is bonded by sintering.
Bonding by sintering is very strong as compared with welding or the like.

[7] If necessary, polishing, etching, wet plating, vapor deposition, ion plating, sputtering, CVD, or the like, such as shot blasting or honing, may be applied to the surface of the obtained metal sintered body, particularly the surface of the hitting surface 31. And surface treatment such as thermal spraying.

The head main body 2 made of a sintered metal body is obtained through the above steps.

When the head body 2 is formed by a casting method, it is necessary to overcome problems such as embrittlement due to oxygen and nitrogen, etc., which react during casting, casting defects, and molten metal flow. According to the law, there is no such problem,
In addition, even if the shape is complicated and fine, it can be integrally molded, and high strength and high quality can be manufactured easily and with good yield. The dimensional accuracy of the inner diameter of the insertion holes 33 to 35 is also high.

In particular, according to the metal powder injection molding method, as compared with the lost wax method or the general powder metallurgy method, the head body 2 made of a material having a smaller number of pinholes and holes and a higher density is used.
Can be obtained.

The head body 2 can be adjusted by adjusting the type and amount of the binder, the binder removal conditions, and the firing conditions.
(Particularly the content of O, C, N, etc.) of the metal material constituting the material, the conditions relating to the pores such as the pore diameter and the porosity,
There is also an advantage that physical conditions such as hardness and elasticity can be set as desired.

When the molded bodies of the head main body 2 and the lid 5 are sintered, they can be joined together at the joint 6 so that the head main body 2 and the lid 5 are separately welded or the like. There are advantages in that the number of steps is small and manufacturing is easy as compared with the case of joining by a method.

Further, in the metal powder injection molding method, complicated and fine shapes can be formed by selecting a molding die. For example, patterns, characters,
Symbols and the like can be formed freely and easily.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional front view showing another embodiment of the head according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which a cover of the head shown in FIG. 5 is removed. The head 1b shown in these figures is different from the head 1a in the internal structure of the head. Hereinafter, differences from the head 1a will be described, and description of the same items will be omitted.

Inside the head 1a, a rib 9 is formed which extends rearward from the back side of the hitting face 31 (in a direction away from the hitting face 31) and is located on the center line 32 of the hitting face 31. The rib 9 includes a rib 93 erected substantially vertically upward from the inner bottom surface of the main body 3 and a rib 95 erected substantially vertically downward from the inner top surface of the lid 5. ,
They are joined at their butted surfaces 97.

With the rib 9, the inside of the head 1b is
It is divided into two closed spaces 71 and 72.

The ribs 93 and 95 are respectively
It is formed integrally with the main body 3 and the lid 5.

It is preferable that the abutting surfaces 97 of the ribs 9 are joined by sintering similarly to the joint 6. Thereby, the bonding strength of the butting surface 97 is improved. It should be noted that a means for increasing the bonding area, such as a step or uneven shape, may be provided for the butted surface 97, for example.

The width of the end of the rib 9 on the side of the striking surface 31 gradually increases toward the striking surface 31.
The width of the end opposite to 1 also increases gradually toward the rear.

By providing such a rib 9, a reinforcing effect is produced, and the mechanical strength of the head 1b, especially the striking surface 31
And the sweet spot on the hitting surface 31 can be widened. Therefore, the flight distance of the golf ball can be improved, and the directionality of the flight can be more accurately controlled.

A weight (balancer) 8 is mounted on the head main body 2 of the head 1b. In the illustrated example, a hole 3 for inserting a weight is provided near the end of the rib 9 opposite to the striking surface 31.
The weight 8 is fitted into the hole 33. As a result, the weight 8 is located at the rear center of the head 1b.

The weight 8 in this embodiment is a rod-like member having a circular cross section, and the hole 33 has a corresponding shape (circle). The weight 8 may be either a solid member or a hollow member, but is preferably a solid member.

By installing the weight 8 as described above, the head 1
The position of the center of gravity of b can be moved backward (in the direction away from the hitting surface 31), and the sweet spot on the hitting surface 31 can be widened.

The specific gravity of the weight 8 is preferably larger than the specific gravity of the metal material forming the head 1b, especially the metal material forming the head main body 2, and is 1.1 of the specific gravity of the metal material forming the head main body 2. More preferably, it is about 4.5 times. Thus, the position of the center of gravity of the entire head 1 can be set or adjusted effectively.

As the material forming the weight 8, various metal materials are suitably used, and W (tungsten) or an alloy mainly containing W is particularly preferable.

Further, other metal materials constituting the weight include, for example, carbon steel, stainless steel, Cu, Mn,
Mo and the like. These can be used in combination with the above-mentioned W or an alloy mainly containing W.

The method of manufacturing the weight 8 is not particularly limited, but can be manufactured by a metal powder injection molding method as in the case of the head body 2.

The method of manufacturing such a head 1b is basically the same as the above-described method (steps [1] to [7]), but differs in the following points.

That is, the weight 8 (or a molded product thereof)
Is previously inserted into the hole 33 before assembling the head main body 2 and the lid 5.

When the molded body is fired (step [6]), the butt surfaces 97 of the ribs 9 are joined together by sintering, similarly to the joint 6, so that the ribs 93 and the ribs 95 are joined together. Be integrated. Thereby, the head body 2 and the lid 5
Means that the joint 6 and the rib 9 are joined together, and the joint strength is further increased, the rigidity of the entire head 1b is increased, and the impact force can be effectively transmitted to the golf ball.

FIG. 7 is a sectional front view showing another embodiment of the head according to the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a state in which a cover of the head shown in FIG. 7 is removed. The head 1c shown in these figures is different from the head 1a in the internal structure of the head. Hereinafter, differences from the head 1a will be described, and description of the same items will be omitted.

Inside the head 1c, a plurality (3) extending rearward (in a direction away from the hitting surface 31) from the back side of the hitting surface 31 is provided.
) Ribs 9, 10, 11 are formed. Rib 9
Are located on the center line 32 of the striking surface 31, and the ribs 10, 11
Are arranged substantially symmetrically on both sides of the rib 9. In this case, the width of the ribs 10 and 11 is smaller than the width of the rib 9.

The rib 9 is composed of a rib 93 that stands substantially vertically upward from the inner bottom surface of the main body 3 and a rib 95 that stands substantially vertically downward from the inner top surface of the lid 5. Are joined at their butted surfaces 97.

The ribs 10 and 11 are also
Similarly, the ribs 103 and 113 erected substantially vertically upward from the inner bottom surface of the main body 3, and the ribs substantially vertically erected downward from the inner top surface of the lid 5, respectively. 105, 115 and their butting surfaces 107,
117.

With these three ribs 9 to 11, the inside of the head 1c is divided into four closed spaces 73, 74, 75, 76.
Is divided into

The ribs 93, 103, 113 are formed integrally with the main body 3, and the ribs 95, 105, 115
Is formed integrally with the lid 5.

Also, the abutting surfaces 9 of the ribs 9 to 11
7, 107 and 117 are the same as the joint 6,
Preferably they are joined by sintering. This allows
The bonding strength of the butting surfaces 97, 107, 117 is improved. It should be noted that a means for increasing the bonding area such as a step or unevenness may be provided for the butted surfaces 97, 107, and 117, for example.

The width of the end of the rib 9 on the side of the striking surface 31 gradually increases toward the striking surface 31.
The width of the end opposite to 1 also increases gradually toward the rear.

By providing the ribs 9 to 11 as described above, a reinforcing effect is produced, and the mechanical strength of the head 1c, particularly the strength of the striking surface 31, is increased, and the sweet spot on the striking surface 31 is increased. it can. Therefore, the flight distance of the golf ball can be improved, and the directionality of the flight can be more accurately controlled.

The head main body 2 of the head 1c has 3
Weights (balancers) 8, 81, 82 are mounted.
In the illustrated example, the vicinity of the end of the rib 9 opposite to the hitting surface 31,
Holes 33, 34, and 35 for weight insertion are formed near the end of the rib 10 on the hitting surface 31 side and near the end of the rib 11 on the hitting surface 31 side, respectively.
Weights 8, 81 and 82 are fitted in 35, respectively. As a result, the weight 8 is located at the rear center of the head 1c, and the weights 81 and 82 are attached to the hitting surface 3 of the head 1c.
1 are located at both end portions on the back side.

The weights 8, 81 and 82 in this embodiment are:
Each of them is a rod-shaped member having a circular cross section.
3 to 34 also have corresponding shapes (circles).
In this case, the weights of the weights 81 and 82 are set smaller than the weight 8. The weights 8, 81, 82
May be either a solid member or a hollow member, respectively, but a solid member is more preferable.

By installing the weight 8 as described above, the head 1
The position of the center of gravity of c can be moved backward (in the direction away from the hitting surface 31), and the sweet spot on the hitting surface 31 can be widened. In addition, the installation of the weights 81 and 82 increases the inertia of the entire head 1c when the golf club swings, and improves the stability. Therefore, the accuracy of the flying direction is further improved.

The specific gravity of the weights 8, 81, and 82, the constituent materials, the manufacturing method, and the like are the same as those described in the description of the head 1b.

The method of manufacturing such a head 1c is basically the same as the above-described method (steps [1] to [7]), except for the following points.

That is, the weights 8, 81, 82 (or their molded bodies) are inserted into the corresponding holes 33, 34, 35 before assembling the head main body 2 and the lid 5.

When the molded body is fired (step [6]), the butted surfaces 97, 107, 117 of the ribs 9, 10, 11 are also joined together by sintering, similarly to the joint 6. . As a result, the head body 2 and the lid 5 are joined by the joint 6 and the ribs 9, 10 and 11, so that the joining strength thereof is further increased, the rigidity of the entire head 1c is increased, and the golf ball The impact force can be transmitted effectively to

The golf club (wood) according to the present invention comprises a head 1a, 1b or 1c as described above,
5 is attached to the tip. A grip (not shown) is formed at the base end of the shaft 15.

The head of the golf club and the golf club of the present invention have been described with reference to the illustrated embodiments.
The present invention is not limited to these.

For example, the shape and structure of the head body 2, especially the internal structure of the head body 2, are not limited to those shown in the drawings.
For example, the presence or absence of ribs and the rib formation pattern can be arbitrary.

Further, a joint 6 between the head body 2 and the lid 5
May have a simple planar shape, and the head body 2 and the lid 5 may be joined by other methods such as welding, brazing, and adhesive bonding.

Further, 1 formed inside the head body 2
Alternatively, the two or more ribs are not limited to those that divide the inside of the head body 2 into a plurality of closed spaces, and may be such that each space communicates. For example, in addition to a plate-shaped one, a rib made of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional structure such as a rod-shaped one or an intersection thereof may be used.

The cross-sectional shape of each of the weights 8, 81, and 82 is not limited to a circle, but may be any shape such as a sector such as a semicircle, a polygon such as an ellipse, a triangle, a quadrangle, and a hexagon. It may be. Also, weights 8, 81, 82
Is not limited to a rod shape. And holes 33, 3
The same applies to the shapes 4 and 35. Also, the number and locations of the weights are not limited to those shown.

In the present invention, the golf club
The present invention is not limited to the above-described wood, but can be applied to other types of wood such as irons and putters.

[0115]

As described above, according to the present invention, even if a member having a complicated and minute shape is formed by a metal member manufactured by a metal powder injection molding method, It can be easily formed integrally, so that the degree of freedom of the shape is large and the design is wide. In addition, a high-strength, high-quality head can be manufactured easily and with good yield, and the dimensional accuracy of each part is high.

When the main body and the shaft connecting portion are integrally formed, the number of parts is small, assembly and manufacturing are easy, the manufacturing cost is low, and the space between the shaft connecting portion and the main body is small. No power transmission loss at
Therefore, the flight distance of the golf ball can be improved.

Further, according to the present invention, in the firing step of the molded body in the metal powder injection molding method, the joints can be sintered and joined at the same time. In this case, if the joints are separately joined by welding or the like, As compared with the method, the number of steps is small, the production is easy, and the bonding strength is higher.

When the joining portion has means for increasing the joining area, the joining strength is further increased, and detachment when an impact is applied is reliably prevented.

When the ribs are provided, the mechanical strength of the head is increased, and the repulsive force on the hitting surface and the width of the sweet spot can be adjusted.

When a weight is installed, the position and balance of the center of gravity of the head can be adjusted according to the installation position and the like, and the width of the sweet spot on the hitting surface is adjusted (particularly wide). And the stability of the head when the golf club swings is improved.

This contributes to an improvement in the flight distance of the golf ball and an improvement in the accuracy of the flight direction.

Since the head body and the like are manufactured by the metal powder injection molding method, ribs, holes for installing weights, and the like can be manufactured easily and with high dimensional accuracy in any shape. Is wide.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a golf club head according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a golf club head according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a left side view showing an embodiment of the head of the golf club of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a sectional front view showing another embodiment of the head of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state where a cover of the head shown in FIG. 5 is removed.

FIG. 7 is a sectional front view showing another embodiment of the head of the present invention.

8 is a plan view showing a state in which a cover of the head shown in FIG. 7 is removed.

FIG. 9 is a sectional front view showing the structure of a conventional head.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a, 1b, 1c Head 2 Head main body 3 Main part 31 Hitting surface 32 Center line 33-35 hole 4 Shaft connection part 41 hole 5 Lid 6 Joint 7 Closed space 71-76 Closed space 8, 81, 82 Weight 9 Rib 93, 95 Rib 97 Butt surface 10 Rib 103, 105 Rib 107 Butt surface 11 Rib 113, 115 Rib 117 Butt surface 15 Shaft 100 Head 101 Main body 102 Cover

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A golf club head having a hitting surface of a golf ball, wherein a plurality of metal members manufactured by a metal powder injection molding method are joined. 2. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the joining portions of the metal members are joined by sintering. 3. The golf club head according to claim 2, wherein said joining portion has means for increasing a joining area. 4. The golf club head according to claim 3, wherein the means for increasing the bonding area is a step. 5. A main body having a hitting surface of a golf ball,
A golf club head, wherein a shaft and a shaft connection portion connected to the shaft are integrally formed by a metal powder injection molding method. 6. A main body having a hitting surface of a golf ball,
A shaft connecting portion connected to a shaft, and a lid portion located above the main body portion, wherein at least the main body portion and the shaft connecting portion are integrally formed by a metal powder injection molding method. Characteristic golf club head. 7. The golf club head according to claim 6, wherein a joint between the main body and the lid is joined by sintering. 8. The golf club head according to claim 7, wherein the joint has means for increasing a joint area. 9. The golf club head according to claim 8, wherein the means for increasing the bonding area is a step. 10. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein at least one closed space is formed inside the head. 11. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one rib extending from a back side of the hitting surface in a direction away from the hitting surface.
11. The golf club head according to any one of items 10 to 10. 12. The golf club head according to claim 1, further comprising a rib extending in a direction away from the hitting surface from a back side of the hitting surface and positioned on a center line of the hitting surface. 13. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein at least one weight is provided. 14. The golf club head according to claim 11, wherein a weight is provided near an end of the rib. 15. The golf club head according to claim 13, wherein a specific gravity of the weight is larger than a specific gravity of a metal forming the head. 16. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein a main part of the head is made of Ti or an alloy containing Ti. 17. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the head is a driver or a fairway wood head. 18. The method according to claim 1, wherein a tip of the shaft is provided.
A golf club comprising the golf club head according to any one of the above.